This month I am loving...

 

 Couch to 5K
After finishing Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution, I needed a new challenge.  I really want to get back into running.  I think letting my hip fully heal and then doing 3 months of strength training is really going to help.  This app is a really good way to ease back into running.  I am still incorporating the Body Revolution workouts into my workout routine.  I can tell so much of a difference and I don't want to lose the strength that I have gained.  I still have about 5 pounds to lose.  I have lost about 7 pounds since I started the program back in May.

Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats
I love overnight oats, but the recipe above is my favorite.  It makes enough for the whole family.  All four of us love this for breakfast, so you know it is a winner.  The only problem is you have to remember to make it the night before.  But if you remember then you have a super easy and yummy breakfast in the morning.   Chia seeds can be kind of expensive, so I always order my online. You seriously need to try this recipe.
 

Source: artsyfartsymama.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Menu Planning Sheet

I found this menu planning sheet on pinterest.  It has been perfect for meal planning.  I fill out the week with everything we have going on then decide what meals will work.  I put it on the fridge so I can check it throughout the week.  So I have our schedule, meals, and shopping list all on one piece of paper.  It has really helped keep me organized so far this school year. 

 

So what things are you loving right now?

Treehouses at Cheekwood

 

We spent a couple of hours exploring all of the treehouses at Cheekwood on Sunday.

 

This fish was made from CDs. 
 

 

Hey Miller!!
 

 

This one was made from rope, but it looked like a ball of yarn.

 

 

Group photo!!!

 

 

You could live in this one.

 

There were 7 treehouses in all and the kids loved exploring them all.  It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

Catching Up On The Kids

It's been awhile since I did a post about what is going on with the kids.  School started a couple of weeks ago and I still need to do a post about that, but I need to locate the photos first. : )

Harper is still going strong with Tae Kwon Do.  She had a brief moment where she wanted to quit and do gymnastics again, but I think we are over that hump.  She tested for her blue belt on Saturday.  She broke a board with a turning side kick.  She prepared really well for this testing and as a result she had a great testing.  I was so proud of her. 

Right now Harper is really wanting to take piano lessons.  I am holding out for a little bit to make sure she doesn't change her mind.  I think she would do well with playing some sort of instrument, so we will see.   She is still going to be doing Brownies and chorus, so she will have plenty to keep her busy.

Miller is still playing baseball.  He has really improved over the last year.  I am excited to see him play this season.  He doesn't have a desire to play anything else right now and I am ok with that. 

Over the summer Miller really started getting into Legos.  He will sit down with a set and follow the directions without a problem.   He is so patient and focused.  It is so cute to watch.

We are still trying to get into the back to school schedule. We are really struggling with getting the kids to read or even go outside and play. All Harper wants to do is watch TV.  Her favorite shows right now are iCarly and Victorious.  All Miller wants to do is play Wii. 

Fun At The Fair

We spent Friday night with family at the fair.  The kids were so excited to get to hang out with all of their cousins at the same time, plus they got to see Spider-man too.

Cute looking bunch, huh?

 

I can't wait until we get to do it again next year.  Fun times!!

Tie Quilt

Before we left on vacation I pieced the top of this quilt for Harper.  I was able to find a little bit of time this weekend to finish the blanket for her.  I originally made this quilt for her, which I still love.  Too bad my husnabd won't let me put it on our bed.  After living with the queen size bed in her room for many months, we realized it was just too big for her room.  So we put her back into a twin size bed.  I have been making due with the queen size quilt on her twin size bed, but it has been driving me crazy.  This quilt isn't as big as a twin size quilt.  I forgot to measure it to be able to give the final dimensions, but it is more of a throw size quilt.  We hope to eventually build her a loft bed for her room, so I didn't want to make the quilt too big. 

  

I came up with the design myself.  I ordered half yard cuts of the fabric, so I wanted to be able to utilize as much of the fabric as possible.  I used Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2.  I am happy with how it turned out. 

 I used a thrifted flannel sheet for the batting and an old sheet as the backing.  Harper wanted it to be somewhat lightweight.  I tied it in all of the corners where the different fabrics meet.
 


She loves it. You can tell it is just the right size for her. 

 

Back from the Beach

 Yikes!  I didn't mean to go missing for nearly 2 weeks.  We were at the beach last week with family, so I am slowly getting back into the swing of things.  Plus school starts back on Thursday.  I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the kids are going back to school THIS week.

Here are some photo highlights of our trip.

Our favorite snorkeling spot.

Our home for the week.

A trip to the science museum on a rainy day.

The cousins all ready for the dolphin cruise.

It's a dolphin!!! Look how close they were to the shore.

Family photo

The beautiful sunset

A gator at Fudpuckers

I think we could have easily stayed for another week.